Chemotherapy education

Today I went to the hospital again and was introduced to the chemotherapy ward. I sat down with a nurse and was given several information pamphlets and was talked through what drugs are going to be used and possible side effects.  Not very nice stuff 🙁

I will be doing the ABVD regime, which is the international standard for treatment of Hodgkin’s Disease.

My first session of drugs is tomorrow morning. I feel anxious and a bit afraid.

Today Dad arrived from Bathurst. He was present in the education session along with Mum and Marika. We went out for dinner to a steak restaurant which was a really nicely cooked steak.

Tomorrow at the chemotherapy ward I will also get a full listing of dates of when I will be having the injections. This will be useful to have, especially for Mum & Dad to allow them to plan their trips down to Melbourne a bit easier.

September 8th, 2011 | Category: Staged | Leave a comment

bits and bobs

Today my case was discussed internally at Peter Mac in a multidisciplinary team meeting. It was agreed by all that my disease will require 3 cycles of Chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy.

There are no concerns with the activity of my throat on the PET scan, as such an appointment with a ENT specialist is not required.

The second pathology from the biopsy of my neck lymph node also came back, which shows again classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

I am also booked in tomorrow for a chemotherapy education session at the hospital and my first chemotherapy session has been booked in for Friday morning.

 

September 7th, 2011 | Category: Staged | Leave a comment

The results are in

Today was my appointment with to discuss the results of my tests.

  • Blood test = no issues, however slight abnormalities with Blood count – specifically a slighly higher ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) rate and a slightly higher than normal Eosinophiles rate. Both items are not a concern but need to be monitored over the course of my chemotherapy.
  • Bone Marrow test = no signs of cancer (good!)
  • Results from second opinion of biopsy from neck lymph node not yet completed (has been put through as an urgent request)
  • PET scan shows 20mm node in my neck & a 30mm node near the thymus gland. The node near the thymus looks isolated to just the node and the actual gland is not affected. My specialist will liaise with a Radiologist to have a look over the PET scan and offer his opinion to confirm this and discuss attack strategy.
  • Specialist to also liaise with ENT specialist as some activity in the throat area shows on PET scan. Activity in the throat on the PET scan is apparently common with people my age. If an appointment is needed with an ENT specialist, this could delay treatment.

Staging has been completed and I am 2A. At this stage the likely treatment will be combined Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. Chemotherapy has been tentatively booked for 09/09/11.

Discussion about my prognosis/attack strategy is also scheduled to be discussed as part of a multidisciplinary team meeting at Peter Mac tomorrow.

September 6th, 2011 | Category: Staged | Leave a comment

Lazy day

Today I worked from home. The pain in my hip was not unbearable, however I wanted to be sure that I would recover without complications.

By the end of the day I have no pain in the area around my biopsy site and do not feel anything weird when sitting down, or getting up.

September 2nd, 2011 | Category: Pre Staging | Leave a comment

Second day of tests

My second day of tests, today is Bone Marrow – followed later by the PET.

The first order of the day was inserting a cannula into my arm. As it was a requirement to fast from food and water for 12 hours, my veins were not as prominent as they should be and it took the nurse 3 goes to get the cannula work as expected. Right hand and arm slightly sore, but cannula installed on left arm after a little struggle.

Shortly after I was taken to a room with a bed whilst I waited for another Haemotologist. When he was ready to start the nurse gave me 3 (mg?) of Diazepam. All I remember is feeling the doctor prod the area a bit with his fingers, then telling the nurse to give me another 2 (mg?) of Diazepam. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital bed. Apparently I had slept for 1 hour in the bed after the operation 🙂

After this it was time to goto the PET area for my scan. I was still a little bit sleepy at this stage. I was given another injection through the cannula and was told to lie down and relax. I had my iPhone and listened to music and think I went back to sleep again. This was for about 45 minutes. After this rest period I then went into the PET room and sat inside the donut for 20 minutes whilst the system scanned my body.

The effects of the Diazepam had worn off by the time my PET scan was complete. My hip is a little sore when sitting down and getting up again. Walking is not affected.

September 1st, 2011 | Category: Pre Staging | Leave a comment
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